On November 6-8, 2025, Peralta sent 10 + 1 (!) representatives (10 from each of the four college faculty senates and one from the District Academic Senate) to the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) 2025 Fall Plenary Session in La Jolla. The Plenary is a large meeting of groups that normally meet separately (like faculty senates). The theme of this year was Resilience in Action: Upholding Our Humanity and Mission Amid a Shifting Landscape. Over the weekend, Peralta faculty joined academic senate representatives from all over the state in productive discussions & debates over the importance of exhibiting resilience not just as endurance, but as intentional and human-focused action.
This year's representatives included:
- Ari Krupnick (Berkeley City College)
- Bill Trego (Laney College, pictured below)
- Carla Pegues (College of Alameda)
- Eleni Gastis (Laney College)
- Fatima Shah (Berkeley City College)
- Iolani Sodhy-Gereben (Laney College)
- Jennifer Fowler (College of Alameda)
- Leslie Blackie (District Academic Senate)
- Matt Freeman (Berkeley City College)
- Monica Ambalal (Merritt College)
- Ngheim Thai (Merritt College)
Many thanks to District Academic Senate President Dr. Leslie Blackie for sharing these photos! Below is Dr. Blackie with Sarah Thompson, president of FACCC (Faculty Association of California Community Colleges). Plenary is a great time to network not only with Senate Presidents and ASCCC leaders but also folks from other advocacy groups.
The strong representation from Peralta at this important statewide event underscores the district's statewide thought leadership and commitment to active faculty involvement in shaping the policies and practices that impact our students and colleges. Their participation ensures that the voices and perspectives of Peralta faculty are heard and considered at the state level.
